The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1887-09-13
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There were four or five sets OF these memoranda
running from one to I'D" When asked to explain
the meaning Of them, he said they We're some old
examples in algebra he had been working out with
the boys. In few minutes we were satisfied that
the paper read: "Artille.y in first division twenty
seven pieces" Then az stood for infantry and the
"C' for cavalry We were satisfied, and yet we
were not, for as soon aswe made it out the way
have given it to You, swift said
General, Captain Morton does not seem to be a
good hand to remember faces Win you please send
for the orderly Sergeant and my terminates? fl can't
show by them that haze been with company &
four months you can order me hung as a spy"
The cool proposition staggered the general. Had
we discovered the paper in the mans pocket in
stead of his boots he would have been allowed to
walk off, That discovery looked suspicious, and he
was ordered back to the guard house and the per-
sons sent for. Two hours later he was confronted
by the orderly sergeant.
ser. cant, do you know this man." asked the gem
eral.
''No sir"
4'Isn't he a member of your company"
"No, sir"
you are dead sure OF this"
IL am sir"
swift actually gruned as if it were good Joke
and said;
Perhaps have changed skins with somebody
since / came ont Of camp this morning Sergeant
White, your given name is Thomas. You came
from Chicago You have been twice wounded
Your father was down to see YOU ast week. You got
love letters from your grl in lesburg. You are %
years old You have a brother Ben in Company E.
Hear me call the roll of our company: Albright
Allison, Andrews, Arkwright, Bement Beamer
Bostwick, Carter Corliss Collins, Costigan Cum
merfOru-'
And the man ratified Oft fortyor fifty names as fast
as he could speak, and he got them all correct, too
the sergeant looked from his captain 10 the prison
her, and then pinched him elf 10 see if he was
awake or asleep.
IL never saw him before" he finally stammer
ed, but he must belong TO the company"
'Yes. he certainly must added the captain.
"WeIl. take him back to camp with you,
sergeant" observed the general Hold on, though,
didn't we send tor his tent mates,'
"They are here SIR
"well. wen see they recognize him."
The three men were brought in and inside Of five
minutes swift was a doomed man. He had came
into camp four or FIVE days previous claiming to be
looking for q friend, and had bribed
the boys to let him into the tent. He
made his excursions through the division from this
point. He must have been a man with q wonderful
memory, and had gained oceans Of information
without seeming to pump anybody. He tried 10
brave it out against the three men, but other mem.
bers Of the company sent for and his nerve at
last gave way. court martial was convened, and
four DAYS after his capture smith was hung, While
he died game and would admit nothing, it was sat
ismctorilv settled that he came from Johnston's
army and that he was old in the business l was at
the foot of the gsllows rs be mounted il, and when
the moose was put over his head heard him say:
"Geutlemen it's a Did fine morning TO start on
such journey as mine"
.